There's nothing worse than hopping in the shower, turning on the faucet, and having a weak stream of water drip from the showerhead. If you find that you're having water pressure problems, you should investigate the issue and fix them as quickly as you can.
It's easy to identify water pressure system problems once you know where to look. Here are our tips for figuring out what's going wrong — and what to do next.
1. Check Other Faucets and Fixtures
Before you assume you have a water pressure problem, you should check to see if all of your water fixtures are experiencing the same issue. Turn on other taps throughout your house to see if they're flowing as normal or if they've weakened, too.
Be sure that you check both hot and cold water. Sometimes, problems with hot water can mean you have a faulty boiler and not your water pressure system.
If you find that you only have low pressure in one sink or showerhead, then you will need to repair that fixture. You don't have to worry about fixing the entire water pressure system.
But if you find that all of your fixtures have low pressure and that low pressure affects both hot and cold water, you probably have an issue that requires repair or maintenance. Here's what to do next.
2. Confirm the Main Valve is On
Have you had work done on your home recently? If so, there's a chance that someone moved your main valve, reducing the water pressure — and creating a problem that requires a really easy fix.
You need to locate the main water valve in your home. Some homes will have two: one inside and one outside near your meter. Check and make sure both are on at full blast. If they are, you will have to investigate deeper for the cause of the problem with your water pressure.
3. Listen for Leaks
Keep in mind that a broken pipe can cause a reduction in water pressure. How can you find a busted pipe? You'll have to listen to it.
If you turn off a faucet and still hear water running, that's a major sign that you have a faulty pipe. You can also check the visible pipes under your sinks and in your basement. Finding damp spots or even seeing leaking water can answer your question as to why you've lost water pressure.
Let's say you do find leaks — if so, you'll want to call in an expert ASAP. They can fix the pipes and get your water flowing again.
Call in the Experts
There could be more than one reason for low water pressure, but these are the three easiest ways for you to pinpoint the issue on your own. If you still haven't pinpointed the problem, we suggest contacting us for help. We’ll get your water pressure back to being just how you like it.